In January 2025, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved the project to procure over Rs 10,000 crore worth of ammunition for the Indian Army (IA)’s Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher Systems (MBRLs). The ammunition under this project will be manufactured domestically to meet requirements of IA over the next 10 years.
- As per the contract, two types of ammunitions i.e. Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System (EPRS) and Area Denial Munitions (ADM) will be produced by Pune (Maharashtra)-based Munitions India Limited (MIL) and Nagpur (Maharashtra)-based Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Solar Industries India Limited (SIIL).
Key Details:
i.The project will be divided between EEL and MIL in the ratio of 60:40 respectively, as both these entities emerged as lowest bidder.
ii.Under this project, high-explosive pre-fragmented rocket ammunition and ADM will be produced at a cost of Rs 5,700 crore and Rs 4,500 crore respectively.
About Pinaka Mk-I EPRS:
i.It is the upgraded version of the Pinaka rocket system, developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)’s Pune (Maharashtra)-based laboratories, Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL).
ii.It has capability to deliver high-explosive pre-fragmented ammunitions with a strike range of 45 kilometer (km) and can move quickly after firing at enemy positions.
iii.It is a 15-foot long rocket weighs around 280 kilogram (kg) and has the capacity to carry warheads up to 100 kg.
About Pinaka ADM:
i.It is a variant of the rockets with strike range of 37 km and has capability to saturate a target area with multiple bomblets, including anti-tank and anti-personnel minelets.
ii.These bomblets restrict the enemy access to the area and can target personnel as well as incoming armour formations.
About Economic Explosives Limited (EEL):
It was incorporated as Non-Government Company on 16th August, 1995. It is primarily engaged in the manufacturing of metals & chemicals, and products.
Chairman- Satyanarayan Nuwal
Headquarters- Nagpur, Maharashtra
About Munitions India Limited (MIL):
It is one of the seven defence companies formed out of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) in 2021. It works under the Ministry of Defence (MoD)
Chairman and Managing Director (CMD)- Prakash Agarwala
Headquarters- Pune, Maharashtra
